On the Mahuli trail again!

Bundled into a minibus this time, with chaps from my office. The Mahuli peak is not very far from Mumbai, and is a one day trek from the village at the base. Its 2815 ft and pretty steep in the final stretches though. 

In the rains, a gushing stream, quite dry in January! 

A peak of the chimneys where the rock climbing chaps come to sharpen their skills ..

Very soon, the ascent became steep and we had to take breaks ..

This was definitely the place to lie down and contemplate the silence. Signs of cooking abounded, leftover marks of earlier treks!

Started on the ascent once again, keeping the chimneys to the left.

On all fours, mostly :)and a view from below the top. The Mahuli fort hails from ancient times,and was a significant military outpost from the 15th to the 17th centuries.  

We saw lots of wild banana and this small wild flower along the way 

Tremendously exhausted, we dropped down at base for lunch at 4:30 p.m 

Lunch consisted of mutton curry, rice and salad whew! 
And stiff legs for two days! 

A photography exhibition

One of my colleagues is a member of the Photographic Society of India and has won critical acclaim with many of his entries, over the years. The PSI was exhibiting in the Jehangir Art Gallery and he took us for a visit, one day. Amazing to meet grand old men who have undertaken hazardous journeys just in search for the perfect picture, the perfect setting and the perfect light! Amazing photographs!

My favourite section was b&w. There is a huge wellspring of emotion associated with b&w photography and there are few of the masters left. 

My personal favourite, a picture that appears evocative and simple but has actually been crafted carefully ..

After this treat, we checked some other exhibitions and then ambled along to a locally famous restaurant for some delicious kebabs. Four kinds of kebabs in a platter!

Delicious!